Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Fire safety a personal responsibility, not just that of the authorities
The Straits Times
|April 11, 2025
My deepest condolences to the family of the 10-year-old girl who died in the River Valley Road fire (10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse, April 8).
After the fire occurred, many questioned the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the building's owner over alleged lapses in fire safety. But are they solely responsible?
During my travels across Europe, the US, Japan and Canada, I've seen many beautiful wooden houses – some built closely together and many featuring open fireplaces.
This story is from the April 11, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
S’porean households get latest tranche of $500 CDC vouchers
Tranche brought forward from Jan 2027; Govt ready to do more if needed: DPM Gan
4 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
Indonesia • Petrol price hike raises concerns
A steep petrol price hike in Indonesia has surprised many consumers and raised concerns of further price increases as middle-class households begin to feel the pinch.
1 min
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
Trump threatens to hit Iran ‘very hard’ and seize its oil hub
US President Donald Trump threatened on June 11 to hit Iran “very hard” and seize the country’s oil hub, ramping up military pressure on Tehran to make concessions as negotiations on a more permanent peace deal ground on.
4 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
East Africa • A new frontier for Singapore
It will pay for Singapore to better understand East Africa as it is a promising new frontier, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
1 min
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
Indonesia's weakening markets and economy have a personality problem — Prabowo's
The mercurial President has spooked businesses and placed retired military men in charge of various companies.
6 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
NASA to wear Prada as luxury group pushes into space industry
Italian fashion house Prada unveiled on June 7 the inner-layer garment set to be worn by NASA astronauts heading to the moon, underscoring the brand’s push to be the first major luxury player to make inroads in the space industry.
2 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
PLAYERS FROM ASEAN LEAGUES TO WATCH
While South-east Asian teams once again missed out on the World Cup, Asean is still represented in football’s greatest show through a handful of players plying their trade in the region, writes senior sports correspondent David Lee.
4 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau make red-carpet debut as couple
American pop star Katy Perry described former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau as the “love of her life” during the couple’s first public red-carpet appearance.
1 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
Malaysian-American contestant apologises for wrongly pronouncing roti canai on MasterChef
Malaysian-American content creator Jaime Tan has issued a public apology for mispronouncing the traditional Malaysian dish roti canai during a recent episode of MasterChef: Global Gauntlet, one that overshadowed her victory in a high-profile cooking challenge.
2 mins
June 12, 2026
The Straits Times
JOLLY GOOD, ROYAL ASCOT IS BACK
Human and equine bluebloods keep up 315-year-old British tradition for 5 days
2 mins
June 12, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size